The way our Faith is presented is very academic. We spout doctrines from pulpits, and etch verses on car bumperstickers. But the truth is the sharing should be around a table, a feast with Saints. The customn of coming together to eat as the Church goes back to early church, "All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer." (Acts 2:42). The New Covenant was even revealed at Supper, The Last Supper, and for ages the Jews waiting for the Messiah observed feasts, one of them Passover. Martin Luther use to teach this way, at table with his family, and called it Table Talk. It is effective to share Christ while sharing bread, for He is the Bread of Life! The setting of eating with people is intimate, and in the Middle East covenants are still made when people eat with one another. In fact, one of great ways to make a practicing sinner know they were out of fellowship was to deny eating with them, "But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people." (1 Corinthians 5:11). Notice it says "who claims to be a brother," that is a Christian practicing sin, it is not talking about people in the world or you would not be able to eat at work or advance in your career by eating with clients.
We are losing the intimacy of the Fellowship Table. Some denominations do have potlucks, and make it a point to have everyone eat together once a month or so. That is commendable, but really it helps to have once a week. I was in a Church were the pastor took everyone out to lunch afterwards, mind you we were a smaller church, so when he paid it wasn't exorbitant. But the experience made you closer to people, in the feasting and fellowshipping you grew to know fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I miss those times, it really was even better than than the service, because at service like most churches you all face the stage, and do not relate, but at the tables we pushed together in a circle or square at the restaurant, you all face each other and chat. It is an aspect of our Christian life we need to foster, because the Bible affirms it so, and the benefits are lasting.
There is no one set up to how to do a fellowship meal. One can have everyone meet at restaurant and pay separate bills, or do a potluck, each bringing a dish, or someone could host meals, rotating so no one gets overwhelmed with having to cook and get the ingredients. The point is to fellowship, to gather together and spend time with one another, and eating a meal is something everyone can enjoy. Breaking bread unlike Bible study is universal, everyone needs to eat, and enjoys a good feast. Through there is nothing wrong with bringing up the Bible while partaking. The point is that at meals people are in less formal setting, you all get to see one another eat, which builds intimacy, and food makes happy hormones release into your brain, making the disposition better. It can also be a treat for a poorer member of the flock to get a chance to eat some dishes that are normally out of the budget. So everything about it is a good thing!
Even when Jesus Returns and the New Heaven and Earth happen, we are going to a feast, "And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God." (Revelation 19:9). From Genesis when Abraham fed The Three to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, feasting has been a major part of the Chosen and Set Apart People of God. I believe neglecting it is not wise, that we should imitate Abraham and The Alpha and Omega. That the Christian experience should encompass eating, for it there that we can grow closer together. I urge you if you are not having fellowship meals, that you find a means to have them, even if its only once a month. Congregations, especially in Mega Churches hardly know one another, and eating together can help people connect. We need to remember the Covenants were around meals, and if God saw fit to give revelations and institute covenants during meals, then it should be important to us too. Amen.
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